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Sunday, August 31, 2025

My Pretty Book Club Read 🍎📚 September Review: “ You Know She Knows…”

September is here. I can feel the Autumn season striding in, the colder crisp morning air and red apples hanging heavily from trees ready to be picked. You can almost smell the pumpkin spice! Jk, all jokes aside, I’ve e never had me a “pumpkin spice” anything other than a slice of pie. Some are finding themselves back in the classroom, others between the rush of cars dropping kiddos off at school, and some like myself, can be found sitting curled up in between the sheets, snuggled with a book and a hot drink. My personal faves are coffee, hot cocoa, chai latte or apple tea with milk! 

This month we’re kicking off with a new title for “My Pretty Book Club.” Where each month or so, we’ll have a new book to learn from and chitchat a little bit about it together. These books will vary in genres, however, I do plan on staying within the self-help, beauty, fashion genres and other trending topics surrounding womanhood/femininity. If you have any recommendations feel free to send them in. The first book we’re covering this month is all about sexy seduction secrets.


The internet is filled to the brim with content surrounding seduction, femme fatale, divine feminine and goddess energy. How do we know who to trust? who really knows what they’re talking about? what really works? This isn’t to tell you what to do or how to do it, but sometimes you gotta stay up to date with the game. Every powerful woman or confident individual knows what makes a man go tik. If you want to know all of the secrets of a seductive aura then keep on reading.

The following series is a deep dive on the book “She Knows… by Queen.Vee.Bee.” In her book she mentions a background in psychology, as well as stating the concepts and techniques covered originate from Slavic and other European beauty traditions. She elaborates on the physical attributes of the female body concerning this topic.

I’m not one to judge as I use ai often, however, this does read like chat gpt. Unfortunately, even some of the formatting typos are obvious when reading through in the print. It’s not the deepest explanations however, the core value of why you bought the book is there and shines through nevertheless. The message is clear, you can use your physical beauty to move forward through life and get what you want, you just have to know the secrets of manipulation. 

I enjoyed reading a book that doesn’t demonize conventional beauty and instead empowers you to use it to enrich your life. One that encourages caring about the way people perceive you, through a lens of adoration of the self. One that celebrates beauty inside and out. I would consider this concept very loosely an attempt at “a modern take” on the art of seduction. Almost like a companion guide for dummy’s. 

It comes as a paperback, colourful and with detailed example illustrations. It’s separated nicely into topics and sections making it easy to flip through to find what you need. There is no list of resources or extend reading recommendations. A very vague execution but still unique enough that it feels like a fresh read when it comes to this niche. 

I do recommend it for anyone interested in self-image, self-concept, relationships, dating or dark psychology. I haven’t read this type of nuggets elsewhere else to be honest. My last thoughts? The book title is very fitting, the material itself could use more development and details, the price point is reasonably affordable as well. Overall message makes it worth it, in my opinion. Have you read this book? Leave your comments below, and let’s start a discussion. 👇🏻 

Sunday, August 24, 2025

My Pretty Grimiore 🔮 September Astrology

Welcome to “My Pretty Grimoire”, where I’ll dive into topics of the occult and esoterica. My pretty credentials? I’m a certified Reiki Master (practitioner/teacher.) Aside from that, I’m a practitioner of magick, particularly cottage craft, kitchen craft and glamour witchcraft.

If the spiritual, esoteric and occult isn’t your cup of tea, fear not! For there will be plenty of future topics solely focused on style, fashion, culture and kawaii grown girl energy as promised. With that said, let’s begin! 

September is month where we tend to get back into our routines.  The season changes and even the sky is falling into different patterns. Autumn happens to be my favourite season. Ready for a month of transformation, clarity, and maybe a little chaos? Here’s your September astrology forecast, broken down sign by sign. 

🌌 September Sky Highlights

  • Sept 1: Saturn Retrograde re-enters Pisces
  • Sept 2: Mercury enters Virgo
  • Sept 6: Uranus Retrograde in Gemini
  • Sept 7: Total Lunar Eclipse in Pisces
  • Sept 19: Venus enters Virgo
  • Sept 21: Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo
  • Sept 22: Mars enters Scorpio


🌙 What’s Happening in the Sky?

This month, the stars are aligning bringing in some significant shifts:

  • Saturn Retrograde in Pisces (Sept 1): Time to reflect on boundaries and responsibilities. It's a cosmic check-in to ensure you're on the right path.
  • Mercury in Virgo (Sept 2): Expect clear communication and a boost in analytical thinking. Perfect for tackling those to-do lists!
  • Uranus Retrograde in Gemini (Sept 6): A period of introspection around freedom and change. Embrace the unexpected insights that come your way.
  • Lunar Eclipse in Pisces (Sept 7): A powerful moment for releasing what's no longer serving you. Let go and make space for new beginnings.
  • Venus in Virgo (Sept 19): Love gets practical. Focus on service and attention to detail in relationships.
  • Solar Eclipse in Virgo (Sept 21): A fresh start in health, work, and daily routines. Set intentions for personal growth.
  • Mars in Scorpio (Sept 22): Passion and intensity rise. Dive deep into your desires and take bold actions.


🔮 How It Affects You

♈ Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

The lunar eclipse on Sept 7 may bring emotional revelations. Use this time to release old patterns and embrace new perspectives.

♉ Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)

Saturn's retrograde in Pisces supports your growth. Reflect on your spiritual practices and find ways to deepen your connection.

♊ Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20)

Uranus retrograde encourages you to reassess your approach to change. Embrace flexibility and be open to new ideas.

♋ Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22)

The lunar eclipse may highlight areas where you need to let go. Trust your intuition and make space for transformation.

♌ Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Mercury in Virgo enhances your communication skills. Use this time to express yourself clearly and connect with others.

♍ Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Venus entering your sign brings harmony to your relationships. Focus on self-care and nurturing connections.

♎ Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22)

Mars in Scorpio energizes your inner world. Dive into introspection and explore your desires.

♏ Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

The solar eclipse on Sept 21 offers a fresh start in your social circles. Set intentions for meaningful connections.

♐ Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Saturn's retrograde supports your career growth. Reflect on your goals and take practical steps toward success.

♑ Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Uranus retrograde invites you to explore new philosophies. Embrace learning and expand your horizons.

♒ Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

The lunar eclipse may bring insights into your shared resources. Trust the process and release what's no longer serving you.

♓ Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Venus in Virgo brings balance to your personal life. Focus on self-love and nurturing your well-being.


🌟 Big Themes This Month

  • Release & Renewal: The lunar eclipse encourages letting go of old patterns to make way for new beginnings.
  • Practical Magic: With Mercury and Venus in Virgo, it's a time to focus on details and take practical steps toward your goals.
  • Passion & Action: Mars in Scorpio ignites your inner fire. Take bold actions and pursue your desires with intensity.


✨ Cosmic Tips for September

  • Set Intentions: Use the solar eclipse on Sept 21 to set clear intentions for your personal growth.
  • Reflect & Release: The lunar eclipse on Sept 7 is a powerful time to release what's no longer serving you.
  • Embrace Change: Uranus retrograde invites you to explore new ideas and embrace change with an open mind.


🌙 Final Thoughts

September is a month of transformation and growth. The cosmos is aligning to support your journey. Embrace the changes, trust the process, and remember to look up, the stars have a plan for you. Leave a 🔮 if this resonates with you and would like more witchy topics!


Monday, January 20, 2025

Gold Cosplay Makeup 💫 Goa’uld Skin Effect

Makeup Through the Stargate is a new signature series where I #stargateshorty explore a variety of makeup looks, sfx, techniques and iconic character styles from the TV show Stargate SG1 and its franchise universe. 


One of the canon antagonists of the show are the Goa’uld System Lords. Basking in all things gold, much of the inspiration taken to bring this iconic makeup to life was heavily influenced by Egyptian culture and mythology. We see this especially true for the system Lord Apophis and the Jaffa under his rule. The consistent use and appreciation of gold is significant to the Goa’uld way of being. To be Goa’uld symbolizes luxury, power, divinity, and the Goa’uld’s self-proclaimed status as gods. The gold emblem on a Jaffa’s forehead, such as Teal’c’s, is not merely decorative—it’s a marker of their servitude and rank within the Goa’uld hierarchy along with his glowing skin, slaying smoky eye and winged liner.


When Teal’c transitions from relying on a symbiote to using tretonin, a synthetic drug that replaces the immune system functions provided by the symbiote, we see a subtle change in his makeup and character design. His skin appears less luminous, and the gold of his emblem becomes less striking over time. This visual shift parallels Teal’c’s journey of independence from the Goa’uld and their influence.

In my TikTok series, I experimented with achieving the gold makeup look of Teal’c and the Jaffa, noticing how the rich, metallic tones of gold. In the case of Teal’c we learn makeup can be toned down or altered to reflect character changes. As Teal’c takes tretonin and fully embraces his rebellion, the less prominent gold tones in his design reflect his move from a Goa’uld-controlled pawn to a leader of the free Jaffa. This nuanced shift is a testament to the brilliance of Stargate SG-1’s storytelling, where even something as simple as makeup carries deeper narrative meaning. Let’s see how this experiment went, shall we?


Products Used;


• Mac Studio Fix Foundation 

• Mac Strobe Pinklite Cream

• Nyx Colour Correcting Palette 

• Morphe 35G Artistry Palette (Gold Eyeshadows) 

• Mac Blush Brush

• Sephora Concealer 46 Brush

• Sephora Fan Brush

• Mac 170


Makeup Through the Stargate: Goa’uld Gold Skin Effect 


Part 1: Highlighter



Part 2: Concealer 



Part 3: Foundation 



Part 4: Gold Eyeshadow Swatches



Part 5: Gold Placements 


That wraps up this experiment! Using basic products you may already have in you makeup bag, it’s safe to say this iconic gold shimmering skin effect can totally be achieved ✨ I’d be curious to test other highlighting products to further enhance this effect on the skin possibly giving a brighter gold glow. Who knows, maybe we’ll have a makeup evolution of our own. Which character would you want to see me dive into next on my series, “Makeup Through the Stargate” ? 


p.s. Full YouTube Tutorial in the works…